Winnetka residents protest Petco

Humans, canines march in opposition to planned store

Wrigley, a poodle, at Winnetka Village Hall during a protest Friday over a pet store that may be coming to town. (Keri Wiginton, Chicago Tribune)

About 50 people — plus their dogs — took to the street Friday in Winnetka to protest a chain pet store planning to set up shop in the village's downtown, saying corporate retailers don't fit with the character of the North Shore suburb.

With two bullhorns, a dozen signs and even more canines, members of the group chanted, "Say no to Petco. We don't want a big box," as they marched for about a mile. They elicited several honks from passing motorists and briefly stopped in front of the Village Hall before gathering outside the vacant storefront where the new store may someday move.

"It's not the culture of our village," said resident Alexandra Nichols, who helped organize the march. "It will open the door for others to come as well and really change what we cherish about the village."

Unleashed by Petco, a smaller retail brand under the Petco name, has signed a letter of intent for 714 Elm St., according to Michael Klein of New Trier Partners, landlord for the site. The storefront, formerly a Baird and Warner real estate office, is between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet, Klein said.

Winnetka Village Manager Rob Bahan said there are no zoning restrictions that would prevent Unleashed from entering the village.

"It is a permitted use," Bahan said.

Klein said it's been a struggle to fill commercial vacancies.

"I'd love to be picky about it, but people aren't knocking the doors down to be in Winnetka," Klein said. "I think it's a shame to organize against free enterprise."

Klein said he expects the store to open within six months but declined to comment on whether a lease has been signed. A Petco spokesman could not be reached for comment, but the Unleashed website said the store's concept is to "provide the same knowledge and know-how offered by Petco in a unique, smaller package."

Angie DeMars, a Winnetka resident and owner of Noah's Ark Pet Supply, not far from the prospective Unleashed store, said the village's small-town character would be forever changed by a corporate store like Petco's Unleashed.

"It's like Mayberry here. You can go into a store here and put it on an account," DeMars said. "We know every customer, and it's the same when I go into the grocery store — they know me by name."

DeMars marched with other residents, as did several employees from LaundryMutt, another locally owned pet store in Wilmette. DeMars said she might not be able to compete with Unleashed's prices for food and pet supplies but was confident that she would make up for it with customer service.

"We would survive — that's not the point," DeMars said. "But when you work so hard, through the economy crashing, and actually have growth, and then somebody comes in, of course it's going to affect me."

Klein said Winnetka needs a mixture of retailers to help revitalize its commercial districts.

"There are a lot of small shops with a national or regional presence that may follow … and at least boost the area," Klein said, adding that larger companies provide more stability and longevity. "You want a good complement of local people, regional people and maybe some nationals. Certainly this isn't a Wal-Mart."

Steve Galvin was driving down Green Bay Road and pulled over in front of Winnetka Village Hall to see what the group was protesting Friday, as afternoon light began to fade. The owner of two Newfoundland dogs, Galvin said he would prefer to spend 10 percent or 20 percent more to support a local pet store.

"I'm all for the small stores," Galvin said.

According to its website, Unleashed was launched in 2009 and has 28 stores in California, three in Colorado and 26 on the East Coast. It has no stores in Illinois.